624 REPORT—1896. 
had to be on the outlook, but at times the opportunity occurred, and over 
him the dirty water went. My informant has been so served oftener 
than once. 
134. Mochrum.—It may be stated that for each four capable reapers 
_there was one to bind and ‘stook,’ 2.e. set the sheaves on end opposite 
each other with the heads pressed together. There were commonly twelve 
sheaves in the ‘ stook,’ 7.e. six on each side. 
My informants have all assisted in cutting the ‘hare.’! 
The Seventh Son. 
135. Mochrum.—A seventh son born in succession has the power of 
healing running sores by rubbing them with his hand. My informant, a 
blacksmith, had an apprentice of the name of Wallace, who was a seventh 
son. One day aman having running sores in one of his legs arrived. 
The young apprentice and he retired together to go through the process, 
so that my informant did not see the mode of procedure. This took place 
about twenty-five years ago. 
Sting of an Adder. 
136. Portlogan.—‘ Gee a fat cat a bit knap,’ i.e. give a fat cat a blow 
to stun it, rip it up and put it hot over the wound. 
137. Kirkmaiden.—Tear a fowl ‘sindrie,’ 7.e. asunder, and put it hot 
and bleeding over the wound. This was done, according to my informant, 
about thirty years ago in the case of a man named James Garva. 
Measles. 
138. Kirkmaiden.—Measles or any kind of infectious disease is cured 
in the following way. The operator stands in front of an ass with the 
patient in her (or his) hands, and passes him (or her) three times round 
the animal’s neck from left to right, repeating each time on reaching the 
upper side of the neck the words, ‘In the name of Jesus of Nazareth.’ 
Whooping Cough. 
139. Kirkmaiden.—aA sail is considered efficacious. 
140. Kirkmaiden.—Take the patients out to sea in a boat and keep 
them at sea till the tide turns. 
141. Kirkmaiden.—Place a slice of raw pork ham on the chest of the 
patient. 
142. Kirkmaiden, Kells.—Let the patient get a ‘piece’ from a married 
woman whose maiden name is the same as that of her husband. My 
informants have seen this cure carried out. 
143. Kirkmaiden.—The patient is taken to the house of a married man 
and woman whose maiden name was the same, but who are not relatives. 
The patient gets a ‘piece’ on arrival. After a time porridge is cooked 
and given, and after another interval tea is partaken of. Food has to 
be eaten three times. Afternoon is the time when the visit is paid. 
144. Kirkmaiden.—There is a cave on the west coast of Kirkmaiden, 
about two miles west of Logan House. From the roof of the cave hang 
a good many stalactites, which go by the name of ‘ Peter’s Paps.’ Those 
‘See Zhe Golden Bough, vol. ii. pp. 10, 11, and the Folklore Journal, vol. Vii. 
pp. 47, 48. 
